Category: prophecy

Could Carrie & Jerry be heading to Puerto Rico after all? How is the “Lulav” and Feast of Tabernacles intertwined in all these peculiar places God is calling them to? Watch the video to find out how Abba (Father God) is weaving and confirming His will in their life while healing her scoliosis!

While most Americans celebrate Christmas and Easter, even if they are not particularly religious, I have slowly transitioned away from celebrating the common holidays of our society to celebrating God’s holy holidays known as the ‘Feasts of the LORD’. The catalyst in doing so was albeit a slow one…

How I Came To Celebrate God’s Holy Holidays

I remember as a young girl hearing about someone who didn’t celebrate Christmas or other holidays because they were Jehovah’s Witness, but never gave it much thought other than, “Humm, that’s weird.” Close to twenty years later though, when my boys were small in the early 2000’s, I was careful never to deceive them into believing in a fictional character that stalks children named Santa Claus. After all, Jesus was the reason for the season – or so I thought. Moreover, now that I had kids, I felt like I should be able to explain why we do what we do even though they weren’t asking just yet!

Being a nerd at heart, I went digging on the world wide web for answers. While I was surprised to learn many of the holidays’ had pagan origins, nothing particularly struck me as evil or caused me to think I really shouldn’t celebrate these, rather it just added to my overall unexplainable Scrooge like perspective on most holidays – except Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving has been my favorite holiday for no apparent reason other than the great food and company and of course, the general concept of being thankful! Much later in my life, I learned the Pilgrims’ Thanksgiving Feast was replicating the Feasts of Tabernacles…No wonder I love Thanksgiving! 😉 Whereas, it was obvious to me that most other holidays like Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Christmas were just great marketing ploys to further the economy and cause people to go unnecessarily into debt!

One particular day though, while visiting my mom (and waiting on her before we went somewhere), I was thumbing through a Bible when I stumbled upon Jeremiah 10, which certainly grabbed my attention.

“Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O Israel. Thus says the LORD, ‘Do not learn the way of the Gentiles..For the customs of the people are futile; for one cuts a tree from the forest..they decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers so it will not topple..’ ” Jeremiah 10:1-4

I felt pricked in the heart and even showed the passage to my mom. “Mom, doesn’t this sound like a Christmas tree?” She agreed it did sound like that, but neither of us knew how to reconcile our common and well-accepted tradition to this peculiar truth. Naturally, like most Christians, we brushed it off and went about our day. Tradition trumped truth because we simply didn’t know better.

Later, sometime in 2010-2011 time frame, I interviewed for a Property Manager job in Philadelphia, about 2 hours from home at that time. The apartment community was owned and managed by Orthodox Jews so they informed me due to their religious holidays (the Feasts of the LORD) there are many days the company and leasing offices are closed typically in September as well as other days throughout the year. Due to deciding not to relocate to Philadelphia, I turned down the job. Nevertheless, the testimony of those faithful Jews inspired me all these years later to also honor Abba Father by not working and not having my subcontractors work on God’s Holy Holidays either (Exodus 20:10; Deuteronomy 5:14).

In 2011 somehow a YouTube TV show popped up on my laptop called ‘Beyond Today’, a program produced by United Church of God. I watched the program in its entirety and it was then I was introduced to the “Feasts of the LORD”. I even downloaded a free packet published by the group and printed it on my color printer. To this day, I reference that packet usually around the prescribed feast days as there is still so much to absorb.

Meanwhile, I had previously attended a charismatic church where a Jewish man and his wife, who believed in Jesus as the Messiah, attended. Through him, I saw a shofar as he introduced it to the church as well a prayer shawl. He and his wife even orchestrated the church’s first seder dinner, all of which I found fascinating. I kept the Seder Haggadah that was handed out to each of us attending for I found it enriching and interesting. The Haggadah basically means “telling” the Passover story. It, like the ‘Feast of the LORD’ packet, went into a special “spiritual ” container bin where I kept various notes from sermons, encouraging cards given to me, and anything meaningful and religious in nature. Over the years, I would on occasion read through these materials casually pondering these mysterious feasts.

You may recall, in 2014, the Blood Red Moons were all the rage in the media and especially certain Evangelical circles because they corresponded with the “Jewish Feasts” and seemed prophetic in nature. It was around this time, I was introduced to Jim Staley’s teachings on YouTube. Again, somehow his videos just manifested. Consequently, I found myself listening to eye opening and puzzling teachings over and over again trying to decipher all the foreign, yet oddly familiar or comforting, concepts he would share. I enjoyed listening to his teachings as not only is he an excellent teacher, which I admired as one who had formerly taught computers, but what he so passionately shared with his audience brought a peculiar peace, a settling shalom to my vexed soul (another story for another time). While I hadn’t particularly changed my normal Christian lifestyle to be anything Hebrew or Jewish related at the time, the truths he shared most definitely got me seeking the word and God in pursuit of truth and understanding. In my humble opinion, anyone who causes me to seek the Father’s heart by digging more in His word for myself is a winner!

A couple of years later, in 2016, God spoke to me through a dream and directly to my husband (in his mind/heart), the same day informing us we were to sell our home of 10 years, give away or sell most of our belongings, and go where He says to go and do whatever He says to do. Much like the Israelites did when they left Egypt, we were leaving proverbial “Egypt”. We understood we would be mobile and dependent on Him following His proverbial cloud and fire. Although a seemingly unusual call at the time, Abba (Father God) confirmed it to us through another unknowing soul. At the church we “randomly” attended that day, a pastor was preaching, looked at us directly, and almost verbatim said what the Lord spoke to us earlier that morning! Shortly after getting the message from the Spirit we were to relocate, although we had no idea where to at the time, I heard God whisper to me in my being that we need to list the house during the Feast of Tabernacles that year. Honestly, I was like, “What? The Feast of Tabernacles? When is that? And Why then?” So I went to my super “spiritual” bin to dig out that packet I printed 5 years earlier to look up the Feast of Tabernacles. It even had a chart outlining the various dates of the feasts for years to come. So at that point in my life, I could see the Feast of Tabernacles would be rapidly approaching as it was only a couple of weeks away according to my saved packet. I verified the dates on the internet and then presented this weird word to my husband, who amazingly, was like, “OK, let’s do it!” After we indeed listed the house on the last day of Feast of Tabernacles, which I didn’t know then is the “8th day” of the feast and means “New Beginnings”, I got another word from the LORD telling me the house will sell in April, but write it down in my journal (I journal often) so I wouldn’t doubt hearing Him. Sure enough the house sold in April of 2017.

Little did I know then, what I know now about the Feast of Tabernacles and the other Feasts nor how much He would incorporate that particular feast into our journey (see our story ‘Walk His Way’). Although, if there is one thing I have learned over the years, it is this: There is always more to learn in Yahweh – after all, it’s not my way, but Yah’s way!

Here are Three Reasons Why I Celebrate The Feasts of Yahweh:

1. Not Just Jewish

With all that said, first, I have learned that these feasts described in various passages of the Old and New Testament are NOT just “Jewish feasts”, but rather, like Leviticus 23:1 says they are “The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.” In other words, this isn’t something the Jewish people invented nor are these holy holidays just for the Jewish people, but they are for all who believe in the One True God. (To learn more about that subject, check out the article I penned called ‘One Law For All’). We even celebrate the Feasts, God’s appointed times, in the millenium reign of Christ (Ezekiel 45:18-25; 46:9,11; Zechariah 14:16-21). To learn more about the Feasts of the LORD, here are a few passages to read: Leviticus 23; Exodus 23:14-19; Deuteronomy 16; 2 Chronicles 29-30; Nehemiah 8-10; Matthew 24:30-31; Matthew 26:2,17-30; Mark 14; Luke 22; John 4:45; John 7; John 10:22-23 {refers to Hanukkah, not a prescribed Feast of YHVH, but one even Jesus celebrated, evidently}; John 12:1, 12-13, 20 {notice Greeks worshiped at the Feast of Passover too} Acts 2; 18:21; 1 Corinthians 5:7.

The unleavened bread is wrapped in the afikomen (linen) just as Jesus / Yeshua’s sinless body was wrapped in linen in His burial.

2. Prophetic In Nature

Secondly, each of the seven feasts are prophetic in nature and reveal profound truths about the Messiah and God’s ultimate true love story. The Spring Feasts being Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits were fulfilled when Jesus, or Yeshua in His actual Hebrew name, became the Passover Lamb slaughtered on actual Passover, His unleavened (sinless) body broken and buried in the tomb during Unleavened Bread like the seder dinner tradition of the afikomen, where the unleavened bread is wrapped in linen just as Jesus was, and He rose again on the feast of Firstfruits, which is why the Apostle Paul refers to Jesus as a type of firstfruits being the first to be resurrected (I Corinthians 15:20). Yahsome, right?!

The final Spring/Summer feast, is Shavuot also known as the ‘Feast of Weeks’ or Pentecost. It’s been said in Jewish interpretation or tradition that the the law of God was given on Mount Sinai, and we know later, on the same day, the Holy Spirit was given (see Acts 2). As a side note, reconcile the possibility that both the law or Torah of God AND the Spirit were given to His people the same day just centuries apart. Why? Because the Spirit writes the Torah on our hearts eventually causing us to walk it out, or live that lifestyle, just as the Living Torah, Jesus lived (see Hebrews 8:8-10; Jeremiah 31:31-33; Ezekiel 36:27). The Holy Spirit or put another way, the Spirit of Holiness was given as a gift of grace to pay the debt for not obeying Torah while helping us be able to do so..to overcome sin and death, the consequence of breaking Torah (I John 3; Romans 3:23; 6:23)…not to earn our salvation, but BECAUSE He first loved us, we will want to love Him and others the way He defines love and holiness in His Torah, the ultimate love letter. Isn’t God genius?!

Lastly, the final 3 feasts being Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur, and Feast of Tabernacles that occur each Fall are yet to be fulfilled. Many believe, including myself, that these Fall feasts will be fulfilled at our Messiah’s second coming when He returns as a ferocious mighty Lion verses the gentle, servantly Lamb He cames as the first time here on Earth.

3. Required & Set Apart

Thirdly, I celebrate the Feasts because I understand as a believer of the One True God, YHVH, and His Son, Yeshua, the Messiah, I am apart of Israel…I am an Israelite, a child of God called to be a light and set apart from the world (Isaiah 49:6; Matthew 5:14; John 8:12; Psalm 119:105-106; Ephesians 5:7-14) and consequently, I recognize and want to submit to God’s authority. Because my Abba Father commands, not suggests, we celebrate His Holy Holidays, the Feasts, as His kid, I’m going to comply to His household rules or put another way as a citizen of the commonwealth of Israel, I’m going to comply to His nation’s or kingdom’s laws. Such concepts of believers actually being either native-Israelites and others grafted-in Israelites, formerly known as rebellious wayward Gentiles, may be a foreign way to be identified, but alas, it is ‘The Way” and important you understand your true identity in Him. To learn more about your identity and responsibilities as a believer, read ‘‘Walk Like An Egyptian?’ and ‘One Law For All’.

Furthermore, it’s no coincidence we have witnessed in our nation, and world in general, people are experiencing an identity crisis, identity theft, the confusion of genders, meanwhile, the issues of illegal immigrants as well as we hear of or read in the news about all the ‘lawlessness’ going on for it all speaks! Remember the Broward County Florida school shooting in 2018? The media kept saying ‘lawlessness’ while ‘the law’ was Sheriff Israel! Can the Ruach HaKodesh/Holy Spirit make it anymore obvious?

The body of Messiah, the church, is experiencing all of the above, the confusion and lawlessness, but could produce fruit that won’t burn up like hay and straw (1 Corinthians 3:12-17) when we not only start to understand who we are, but when we start being worshipers of Spirit (John 3:3-6) and truth (Psalm 119:142,151) like Jesus / Yeshua sought and taught (John 4:23-24) and the Apostles and Messianic Israelites demonstrated in the early days! Watch my brief video teaching ‘Serving The Ekklesia | Don’t Be Afraid’, where I discuss how some Christians are all about the law, but afraid of the Spirit, while others are all about the Spirit, but rebellious towards the law. When we allow the Spirit to guide us like a GPS while still abiding by the laws of the road, we can finally reach our destination in one accord (Not the Honda! Ha ha!).

In closing, the feasts are for the most part, joyous celebrations, that we will want to obey upon the Spirit being written on our hearts (Hebrews 8:8-10; Jeremiah 31:31-33; Ezekiel 36:26-27). Ultimately, by celebrating the feasts, we are reflecting on our Messiah and striving to honor our Abba Father; moreover, we are being like Jesus, like Yeshua, the word, the Torah in the flesh for all the world to read. Hopefully, in doing so, the world will also want to come out of the dark and into His marvelous light too!

“They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they were appointed. But you are a chosen generation , a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light!” 1 Peter 2:8-9 (NKJV)

If you have read our testimony found on our home page, ‘Walk His Way’, as to how Abba (Father God) called us out of our very own proverbial Egypt or Babylon to follow His cloud so to speak wherever He leads us, then you know He has incorporated the ‘Feast of Tabernacles’ also known as the ‘Feast of In-Gathering’ into our journey. In the beginning of this peculiar quest, my husband and I had an elementary understanding of this prophetic and important feast of Yahweh. I certainly did not know then what I know now and am so grateful His Spirit (Ruach) continues to teach us more and more about Him and His way the more we surrender the lies we once believed and instead embrace His truth.

I must warn you though it is far harder to surrender a lie than it is to embrace the truth.

It is far harder to surrender a lie than it is to embrace the truth.

The Gathering

Did you know what most refer to as “the rapture” is more accurately referred to as the gathering throughout Scriptures? Here are a few examples:

“And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven.” Mark 13:27 (NKJV)

“For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all the countries, and bring you into your own land.” Ezekiel 36:24 (NKJV)

“And it shall come to pass in that day (day of the LORD – see verse 1), that the LORD will thresh, from the channel of the River to the Brook of Egypt; and you will be gathered one by one, O you children of Israel.” Isaiah 27:12 (NKJV)

“For a mere moment I have forsaken you, but with great mercies I will gather you.” Isaiah 54:7 (NKJV)

Now that we have established the more accurate terminology is referred to as the gathering of the saints verses the not once mentioned word of the rapture according to Scripture, we can investigate where believers are gathered to.

All of YHVH’s Feasts are His Holy Holidays and prophetic in nature. The Spring feasts being Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, and even Pentecost/Shavuot were already fulfilled in Yeshua/Jesus’s first coming while the Fall feasts of YHVH will be fulfilled at His second coming. It is no coincidence the Bible connects the gathering with the ‘Feast of Ingathering’ for that is when they would rejoice in the gathering of their harvest and celebrate their freedom from sin and a corrupt culture such as their freedom from Egypt (Exodus 23:16; 34:23; Leviticus 23:33-44). Remember, ‘Feast of Ingathering’ is also referred to as ‘Feast of Tabernacles’ or ‘Sukkot’ in Hebrew.Where Are Believers Gathered To?

Scripture makes it very clear where we are gathered to upon Yeshua’s second coming. At the last trumpet, the graves will open, the sleeping saints or sleeping beauties if you will, shall awake..shall be resurrected when the Prince returns, and the saints who endured the horrible persecutions of the tribulation shall be gathered to a specific location where Yeshua, the Prince, will rule and reign along with His saints (Matthew 24-26; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:1-11; 2 Peter 3; Revelation 11; 14; 20).

Contrary, to popular modern doctrines of mainstream Christianity, we aren’t whisked away to heaven at Yeshua’s return with the ‘to hell with ya’ll mentality’, although we do meet Yeshua in the air (I Thessalonians 4:17), we are gathered to…

“Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD GOD: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.” Ezekiel 37:12 (NKJV)

“So it shall be in that day; the great trumpet will be blown; they will come, who are about to perish in the land of Assyria, and they who are outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.” Isaiah 27:13 (NKJV)

“I will bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion, for Israel My glory.” Isaiah 46:13 (NKJV)

“So the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 51:11

“Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound the alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the LORD is coming, for it is at hand:” Joel 2:1 (NKJV)

“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the remnant who the LORD calls.” Joel 2:32 (NKJV)

“But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness..” Obadiah 1:17 (NKJV)

“Thus says the LORD: ‘I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, The Mountain of the LORD of hosts, The Holy Mountain.’ ” Zechariah 8:3 (NKJV)

“I will bring them back, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be My people and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness.” Zechariah 8:8 (NKJV)

“Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.” Revelation 14:1 (NKJV)

To read more verses about where we are gathered to, study Psalms 2:6; 48:1-2; 74:2; 78:68; 87:1-7; 102:16; 125:1; 132:13-14; Isaiah 2:3; 59:20; Jeremiah 3:14-18; Micah 4:2, as some examples. If you only pick one of these to follow up, read Jeremiah 3:14-18. So where are we gathered to at Yeshua’s return? Is it heaven? Where are verses stating we are raptured to heaven? There is none. Instead, Scriptures state very clearly we are gathered to..MOUNT ZION, JERUSALEM, ISRAEL.

The Holy Scriptures give us a few traits or clues to beware of when discerning the Anti-Messiah or Anti-Christ spirit. As we sojourn the halls of various places of worship, carry on conversations with others, or peruse social media, be on the look out for any of these 5 traits:

The most obvious clue is anyone who denies the fact that Yeshua/Jesus of Nazareth was/is the Son of YHWH (God), died for the sins of the world, and was resurrected on the 3rd day. Anyone who rejects Yeshua as Messiah is a carrier of the Anti-Messiah spirit. 1 John 4:1-3.

The Anti-Messiah spirit will seem to be culturally “cool”, very likeable, popular, persuasive, and intriguing, even offering people many lucrative incentives, but inwardly he/she/they are infected with a dangerous spirit. Daniel 8:25; 11:21,23,24,25.

The Anti-Messiah spirit will seek/has already sought to speak against, change and distort YHVH’s laws. The Anti-Messiah spirit is even referred to as ‘the lawless one’ (one without Yah’s laws). The Anti-Messiah spirit will proclaim their will, their laws, their way is the correct interpretation verses God’s will, laws, and ways written in His word. Essentially, the Anti-Messiah does away with the One True God and His will by replacing God with a god of their own ideologies. Daniel 7:25; 11:28,36-39; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; 2 Peter 3:14-18; Revelation 11:1-2.

The Anti-Messiah spirit will slander, shun, persecute, torment, and eventually seek to kill those who keep or practice YHVH’s holy covenant, namely those who keep YHVH’s commandments and believe Yeshua is Messiah. This vile spirit is very anti-semitic/anti-Jew/anti-Israel/anti-Hebrew in all forms conceivable for the Anti-Messiah spirit knows not only was Yeshua a chosen Jew from Israel, but those who are chosen as native Israelites as well as the grafted-in Israelites, who both believe in Yeshua the Messiah and keep their Heavenly Abba(Father)’s commandments, are being a light to the ever-increasing dark world. Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 51:4,7-8; Daniel 8:24; 11:28,30; Revelation 7:1-8; 12:13-17; 14:1-13.

Conversely, the Anti-Messiah spirit will reward those who don’t keep God’s commands, are against God’s temple, and sacrifices, which are a part of God’s covenant in the Torah. Daniel 11:30-35; Revelation 11:1-2; 13:4-18; 17:8,15.

Learned something new this week. The Ruach (Holy Spirit) continues to blow me away as He reveals more and more particularly about the Feast of Tabernacles. That feast has been a central theme to our journey as He takes us from new land to land.

In the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot in Hebrew, a ‘lulav’ was waived while the people rejoiced much like a flag in today’s worship services. The lulav consists of three different tree branches all woven together. Each branch has symbolism and meaning, but more on that to come…

Amazingly, the 1st place Abba (Father in Hebrew) took us to upon calling us to follow Him was Myrtle Beach, which matches the 1st myrtle branch in the ‘lulav’. Then, after 18 months, He led us to Kemah, Texas, which not only means ‘tabernacle’, but has palm trees everywhere matching the 2nd piece of the ‘lulav’. Makes me believe the final destination will be connected with the 3rd piece of the ‘lulav’ which is the willow tree. I wonder where that will be… In His time and His way, He will reveal it. In the meantime, we rejoice where we are at all the while learning and growing more as His servants. It was neat to discover too how the palms used just before Passover is connected to Sukkot (see post below).

This upcoming Sunday is Palm Sunday according to Christian tradition. Did you know when the Jewish people used palms shouting, “Hosanna” as Jesus/Yeshua rode the donkey several days before becoming Passover’s sacrificial lamb, that they were recognizing Him as the Messiah (John 12)? They had witnessed many miracles including the resurrection of Lazarus and so they believed Yeshua/Jesus was the Messiah. However, the Pharisees or religious leaders of that day, were blinded by their own religious doctrines and interpretations of the Scriptures and quickly took action to hide the truth from the Jewish and Gentile people.

In the Feast of Tabernacles, the last fall Feast of the LORD (Lev.23), the Israelites would wave the ‘lulav’, which is a branch made up of a myrtle tree, a palm tree, and willow tree bound together. In that feast, also known as ‘Sukkot’, the Israelites are commanded to rejoice and celebrate the arrival/return of Messiah. They would sing praises shouting “Hosanna” and “Blessed is He who comes in the name of YHVH”. Many scholars have notated that Jesus/Yeshua was most likely born during the fall Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot , according to all the Biblical facts provided, and will one fine day return during Feast of Tabernacles. Sukkot/FOT also represents the millenial kingdom reign of Yeshua, the Messiah.

Isaiah 53 fortold the Messiah as a gentle, humble servant or lamb in His first coming, while Isaiah 65-66, Zechariah 14, and numerous other passages including the Book of Revelation portray Messiah returning as a fierce and just lion in His second coming.

The religious leaders back then expected the Messiah to be more like a roaring lion making all things right and holy, but instead He was a loving lamb. Today, many religious leaders portray the Messiah as a loving, hyper-grace lamb chop, who doesn’t mind sin, when in reality, according to Scripture, He will return as a roaring lion correcting, judging, and revenging according to what He calls sin verses holiness while making all things right.

May we continue to seek Him and His Word for ourselves so we are also not deceived by these latter days religious leader’s teachings and thereby unable to know our Messiah nor recognize His holy and just judgment at His return to rule and reign.

As my husband and I continue to sojourn this peculiar and adventurous way following Yeshua wherever He beckons (John 10:27; Romans 8:14; Revelation 14:4), we have discovered proverbial ravens provide for us just as they did for the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 17. We marvel, smile, laugh and glorify Abba whenever a “raven” walks up to us and freely gives us an item we had just said we needed. It’s not even something we necessarily asked Abba for, but just spoke the need out loud to each other when lo and behold, a “raven” will walk up to us either that same day or shortly thereafter and deliver to us the very item we just discussed! For example, while on a cleaning job on Wednesday, my husband said to me, we really need to get a two-step step ladder to more effectively reach and detail these higher spaces. All of which I agreed. On Friday, a fellow boater we’ve recently met, not knowing our request, walked up to us and handed us a two-step step ladder. Jerry and I just looked at each other, smiled and laughed while thanking God and this man. That is just one example. There have been many more just like that where Abba has provided us with various marine items for free like a nautical chart of this area, sailing books, a flare gun, an expensive anchor chain, along with cleaning products, essential oils, clothing, food, plastic bins, a mixing bowl, cast iron skillet and even a free Walker Bay dinghy ($$) and floating dinghy dock! If you’ve followed along our YouTube vlogs, then you’ll recall we have come to these foreign lands with little to nothing, not knowing a soul, nor what it all will look like. Nevertheless, it is amazing how we speak the need and it almost instantly manifests. Meanwhile, we have noticed Abba provides cleaning jobs for us shortly before specific bills are due allowing us the opportunity to not only responsibly pay those required expenses, but to trust and know Abba will indeed provide us daily manna (Exodus 16) or our daily bread as Yeshua/Jesus taught us to ask Abba for in Matthew 6:11. It would seem these are critical lessons to remember as we follow Yeshua for He even instructed His apostles to not worry about money or our needs, but rather take little to nothing as He calls you to sojourn or set sail (Matthew 10; Luke 12). He will command the ravens, the widows, and whomever else to serve your needs as you continue to serve Him and others by simply doing what He said to do. Complete opposite as to what the hoarding world preaches!

Moreover, we are learning just as Yeshua taught and John scribed in 1 John 3:22, whatever we ask we will receive because we respond with obedient, surrendered hearts to Abba’s commands… His Voice, which is His word!

What a YAHsome journey this has been! May our documented experiences in this faith journey foster, facilitate, and free you to follow His guiding cloud and fire as well for we can testify: If God calls you to it, surely He will provide for you through it!

It may surprise many Christians, but the fact is various sacrifices will resume and be required of in the millennium reign of Yeshua/Jesus. But if you have missed my previous article answering Why We Don’t Perform Animal Sacrifices Now, click here for that simple answer. In this article we will discuss why animal sacrifices will be reinstated in the millennium reign and quite possibly even before then. Moreover, we will see how all of this is connected even to the Christian faith here and now!The Foundational Basics of The Gathering and The Millennium

When studying the Book of Revelation chapter 20, we see Yeshua/Jesus, The Messiah, returns to Earth, where He rules and reigns for 1,000 years. The Book of Ezekiel, found in the Tanakh/Old Testament, starting in Chapter 36 through the end of the Book, describes the re-gathering of lost sheep of Israel (also see what Jesus/Yeshua said in Matthew 15:24 and Matthew 24:31), which some might refer to as ‘The Rapture’, as well as the resurrection of the dead (Ezekiel 37), and what worship entails during Yeshua’s reign. Furthermore, we read in Ezekiel 37, the initiation of the millennial reign when Yahweh/God unites the House of Israel (lost sheep/the scattered Northern Kingdom & grafted-in Israelites/formerly known as ‘gentiles’-see my post An Important Response) with the House of Judah (of the Jewish tribe/the Southern Kingdom). To read the passages showing the supernatural reunification also described as gathering His elect into one stick, one new man, or one olive tree, see Ezekiel 11-12; 36:27; 37:15-28; Ephesians 2:11-18; Romans 11; Zechariah 4; Isaiah 52-56, 60-66; Jeremiah 29-31; Hebrews 8:7-13; Mark 13:27; Matthew 24:30-31; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58; Revelation 11.Will There Be Sacrifices In The Millennium?

While reading Ezekiel 40-46, we see Scripture reveals in great detail the millennial temple and the various sacrifices performed – some of which even the Messiah/prince cooperates with (Ezekiel 45:22-25). Let’s dig in deeper though as to why. For many of us were led to believe or assumed the sacrifices were done away with upon Christ’s death and resurrection, when it actuality, we learn from the Book of Hebrews and Ezekiel, they were done away with, not because of any changing of commandments, nor because of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice, but rather, because there currently is no temple.Why Will There Be Sacrifices In The Millennium (and most likely even before then)?

First, it is clear, from beginning to end, all of Scripture is about Yeshua HaMaschiah, Jesus The Messiah, our Savior from sin, and all of it points to Him. He is the Alpha and Omega, as it says in Greek, or the Aleph and Tav, in Hebrew. It’s all about Him, always was about Him, and always will be about Him (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-18; Revelation 22:13). Amen.

The sacrifices performed for thousand of years prior to our present day pointed to Yeshua, The Messiah, and will still point to Yeshua in the millennium. But more on that in a bit.

Second, it’s important to understand, no one can nullify or do away with any of God’s covenants for a covenant is a covenant, not a contract to be broken (see Galatians 3:15,17; Isaiah 40:8; Mark 13:31). Rather, each covenant is built upon one another providing as the author of Hebrews says, “better promises” (Hebrews 8:6) : Do women still have pain in childbirth? Why is that if the Old Testament/covenant is done away with? Because the pain in childbirth was part of what Bible scholars refer to as the “Adamic Covenant”. What about the “Noahide Covenant” where Abba (“Father” in Hebrew / Father God) promises never to flood the entire Earth at once again like He did in the flood for the people’s unclean, evil lifestyle (Genesis 6-9)? Afterwards, there was the “Abrahamic Covenant”, where Yahweh promised Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the sand and stars while inheriting the land of Israel and that circumcision reflects YHVH’s eternal covenant with Abraham and his seed (Genesis 15-17). Is that too no longer in effect? You see so none of these “new” covenants eradicated the one before, but rather built upon it. Also, notice in all of these covenants, there is shedding of blood (i.e. covering of animals for clothing/blood in childbirth; mankind blood shed in flood; circumcision). With each covenant established, we learn more about the heart and will of God. Furthermore, we know none of His word is made void (Isaiah 55:8-11).

Third, and perhaps of utmost importance, understand that “new” covenant as referred to in Jeremiah 31:31-33 and reiterated in Hebrews 8:7-13, isn’t consummated just yet. Rather, while we are still here on this Earth, all of the foundational covenants still stand (Matthew 5:17-19) while the “new” is yet to be completed or put another way, is in process, or in the que, if you will. Hence, why the elect are referred to as the ‘Bride (of Christ)’ (see Ephesians 5:25-29) not wife, why Yeshua/Jesus says He has to prepare a place (John 14:2-3) just as in Jewish culture the bridegroom left to build an extension of His father’s house after becoming betrothed/engaged to His future bride (2 Corinthians 11:2), but we aren’t physically dwelling with Him yet in His Father’s House (New Jerusalem), and why in Revelation 21, we see when the “New” Heaven and “New” Earth manifests, the “Bride”, known as the “New” Jerusalem appears (Rev.21: 2,9; Hebrews 3:6; Mark 14:25; Isaiah 52:1; 2 Corinthians 5:1). Notice many references to “new” manifest at that time, which corresponds with what Yeshua said in Matthew 5:17-19, when He said not one part of the law (or Mosaic covenant) is done away with until there is a new heaven and new earth, which doesn’t manifest till Revelation 21. We also see in Revelation 21 and 2 Peter 3:13, that there is no uncleanness, no lawlessness, no sin, no pain, no suffering, nothing to defile the New Earth or immortal beings dwelling in the New Earth for “all the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light..” (vs 24). There also isn’t a need for a temple to make atonement for there is no more curse/consequence to sin (Revelation 22:3) and Yeshua is the Temple in the New Jerusalem/New Earth (Revelation 21:22). We also see in Revelation 19:7-9,

the marriage and marriage supper (wedding reception) of the Lamb is about to take place, but has not yet been consummated. Therefore, it isn’t until the New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem manifests that the New Covenant is consummated. When is the covenant between a husband and wife consummated? On their wedding night through sexual intercourse. And what manifests when a husband enters his pure virgin wife? The shedding of blood through the breaking of her hymen. Covenant consummated. Our betrothal to Yeshua isn’t consummated yet. Our job at this time is to be His spotless, spiritually pure, virgin Bride (2 Peter 3:14-18). Notice in Rev.19:8, the Bride’s wedding dress of fine linen, clean and bright, is defined as the righteous acts of the saints (obedience).

Furthermore, notice in Hebrews 8:13, the author scribes that the former covenant is “becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away”, but hasn’t just yet. It also says in Hebrews 8:11 and Jeremiah 31:34 that in the “new” covenant none of us will have to teach each other matters of the LORD for we all will already know Him (again, captured in Revelation 21-22).

And yet we still today are teaching one another and sharing information with believers and non-believers. Likewise, in the millennium, Yeshua teaches us His laws (Isaiah 2, 51; Micah 4) as do His priest, so evidently, even the millennium time frame isn’t when the new covenant is consummated:

“And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. In controversy, they shall stand as judges, and judge it according to My judgments. They shall keep My laws and My statutes in all My appointed meetings, and they shall hallow My Sabbaths.” Ezekiel 44:23-24

So is it possible the stage is set for the “New” Covenant while still living with the promises and boundaries defined in the foundational ones? Since the Adamic, Noahide, and Abrahamic Covenants are still in effect, it is obvious the following Mosaic (law) Covenant is as well. Otherwise, how can one reasonably argue it is permissible to pick and choose which covenants still exist (i.e the Adamic still exists, but not the Mosaic) and which don’t when clearly they all still exist.

Since we have not been reunited with our Bridegroom, Yeshua, just yet, AND in the Father’s House to consummate our marriage (New Jerusalem), it would appear we indeed are betrothed (2 Corinthians 11:2) or engaged to put it in a modern term we can easily understand, but are not married or fully in our new covenant just yet. Hence, why we still have pain in childbirth, why there is no world-wide flood, why Yeshua and the Apostles still instructed us to live a lifestyle of holiness, with the Spirit of Holiness’ help as He guides us into more and more truth, and why we continue to teach one another. They all are still in effect.

In the meantime, we are in the process of being sanctified by His written word (Living Torah/the Torah) as John 17:17 and Hebrews 10:14 indicate…being made a spotless, pure Bride preparing for our wedding day as the Spirit of Holiness illuminates more and more truth to us just like we see in Acts 15.

Visit 119 Ministries YouTube teaching.

I call Acts 15, the “Start Here” chapter for it would seem the Holy Spirit always starts with cleaning up sexual immorality and the most glaring sins or uncleanliness in our lives first. When you read, Acts 15, notice the debate amongst the disciples/apostles was about IF obeying the law saves you (vs.1), not if you had to obey the law in general. Rather, we see in Acts 15, the apostles, through the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, provided a priority list for those newly converted non-Jewish/freshly grafted-in Israelites to focus on. Surely, by only listing a couple of commands they weren’t dismissing all the other commands validating it is permissible to murder, dishonor your parents, worship other gods, steal, etc. No! Which is why in vs.21, it says, they have grown to know such truths over time indicating everyone has to start somewhere. The debate was about does obeying the Mosaic law, the instructions for life save you from eternal separation from God (i.e. spiritual death)? No, it does not. Obedience is important for it reflects a circumcised heart, being sanctified by the word (Torah) through His Holy Spirit not to *be saved* or to *earn* salvation, but because of Christ’s shed blood, we will want to avoid sin, which 1st John 3:4 tells us is lawlessness or being without God’s laws. Again, the Spirit of Holiness/Holy Spirit will guide us into more and more truth as we grow up in God. He specializes in disinfecting our hearts and homes.Didn’t Jesus’ Blood Pay For Our Sins? Then Why Still Sacrifices?

Go with me to Numbers 15, notice in verses 37-41, we see YHVH wants the children of Israel to make tassels (tzitzits) at the hem of their garments to remind them of God’s saving grace as He redeemed them from Egypt, but Abba knew even upon being saved by grace we so easily forget the ordeal as it is a lengthy journey getting Egypt (sinful ways) out of us! So He had them make tassels of string to remind them of His commandments – His instructions for life. God loves reminders..memorials..anniversaries. Hence, the Sabbaths, the Feasts of the LORD (see Leviticus 23) commemorating huge events of the past and events to come. We even see, God commanded the Israelites to live in temporary booths/tents/tabernacles during the 7 day Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) to remember His saving grace from Egypt (see Leviticus 23:41-43). Not to mention the giving of the Holy Spirit to help remind us of His truth..His word! Think about this: Does taking communion crucify Christ all over again? Does it save you when you slurp down that tiny glass of grape juice or take a sip of wine? Does getting baptized spiritually make you clean or are these ceremonies to remind us of God’s grace – to help us further identify with Him, His word, and the lifestyle of holiness? Likewise, the various ceremonies within the temple including the sacrifices carry the same symbolism (Hebrews 9:9)- they in of themselves don’t save us (Hebrews 10:4, 11), but they remind us of the seriousness of our sins (Hebrews 10:3) for something/someone must die because of our sinful choices. The sacrifices also remind us of our desperate need for a Savior and His amazing grace until He puts His enemies under His foot forever (Hebrews 10:13).

Did you know “communion” was actually the Passover dinner?

Let’s dig even deeper though…In Jewish culture, in order for a woman to be betrothed to a man, the father of the man had to pay the dowry debt to the woman’s father. Once the debt has been paid, the man and woman were betrothed and in Jewish culture, considered off the market, but no marriage or consummation occurred just yet for the man/bridegroom had to go build a home for his bride attached to his father’s estate. Hence, Jesus/Yeshua’s comment in John 14:2-3. When Yeshua/Jesus died on the cross we know He did so to pay for our sin, which is the debt or curse of breaking God’s law (I John 3:4; Romans 3:23; 6:23), or as Paul refers to as “the law of sin and death” (Romans 7:22-25) or the dowry for His bride. So just as Colossians 2:13-14 states, the sacrifice of Christ’s death on the cross paid the requirement that was against us, the debt, the curse, the dowry, the law of sin and death, but did not remove the laws of God as previously discussed. Just like if someone graciously paid your speeding ticket fine, it doesn’t nullify the speed limit law, it only pays the debt for breaking that law.

Furthermore, Scripture reveals without the shedding of blood, there is no remission or removal of sin. Hence, why the animal’s blood had to be spilled and why Christ blood had to spill. It has to costs something – the debt of sin is always costly. The wages of sin is death.

“And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22

” ‘For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’ ” Leviticus 17:11

Moreover, the intent of the sacrificial system is to help us understand and remember sin has a high price: It cost God His firstborn to die for you to potentially live. Don’t abuse this grace nor take sin lightly.The Difference Between Unintentional and Intentional Disobedience and What Does That Have To Do With Sacrifices?

Hopefully, upon believing Jesus/Yeshua is the Messiah, God’s son, who perished to take away your sins, you’ll want to cultivate an intimate relationship with Abba (Father) through His Son (and not just be deceived into thinking salvation is a one and done mentality where you can now go live just as before). Many temptations will plague you especially early on trying to thwart your relationship, but be steadfast and strong for all of us have to start somewhere.

As you may recall, from Acts 15, we see the Holy Spirit had the Apostles instruct the new converts with a few basics to start their faith journey or put another way their very own “horribly-amazing-purification-process” a term I’ve used in previous blogs and vlogs! 😉 We see in the various epistles to the body of believers that they too generally had a basic set of instructions, namely ridding themselves of sexual immorality, while Paul beckons them to move on to more deeper aspects of their faith journey (I Corinthians 3:2-3; Hebrews 5:12- 6:2). Let me ask you something: Are you instantly mature in Christ upon believing in His death and resurrection? Do you know all of God’s laws and the ways of God as soon as you believe? Does a baby know how to drive at birth? Or does that baby first learn how to roll over, how to crawl, how to walk, how to run, how to ride a bike, and then eventually, when a bit more mature, how to drive? And even once able to drive, there is still much to learn and be aware of – there are still accidents. Likewise, upon coming into the gospel message of believing Jesus/Yeshua died for us, we cannot possibly know and obey all of God’s ways instantly, but we will gradually learn to do so as we mature in Him and His lifestyle of holiness with the help of His Holy Spirit.

Would you be offended if a driver of another vehicle intentionally ran a red light t-boning your car and possible killing your passenger? Was not the red light designed to protect one another? Would you consider that intentional act breaking the laws of the road? Would it be breaking the laws of the road even if the driver happen to miss the changing of the yellow to the red light? I believe the answer to all of the above is YES. Did you know that God’s laws are designed to protect us, not to harm us for the Torah is for our good (Deut 5:29; 6:24-25; 10:12-13; Romans 7:12,14; Matt.5:17-19; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 1 John 5:3)? Did you know God views intentional sin, or presumptuous sin, different than unintentional sin? Do you not hold your older children more accountable than your younger children? Why? Because they know better, right? Likewise, the more we know, the more we are held accountable for (Ezekiel 33:8-9; James 3:1; Romans 14:12; Hebrews 13:17; Luke 12:47-48; John 15:22).

You’ll want to especially check out Hebrews 10:26:

“For if we go on sinning willfullyafter receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” Hebrews 10:26-27 (but please read the rest of the passage as well)

Also, read these serious implications in Hebrews 6:4-8, which matches what Jesus/Yeshua spoke of regarding fruit and lawlessness in Matthew Chapters 7 and 13:

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.”

Also, read Numbers 15. Notice God recognizes the difference between unintentionally sinning, which required atonement by the priests to make atonement for the body at large (the congregation), or the individual person, while the intentional act of sin has the consequence of being cut off from the people through death in Numbers 15:30-36. As another example, in Numbers 35:9-34, we see Abba sets up ‘sanctuary cities’ for those who unintentionally kill someone (involuntary manslaughter) whereas an intentional murderer must be put to death. Yet another form of grace – even in the Old Testament, or more accurately stated first testament. Grace is not a new concept for God. Hebrews 10:26-39 seems to reiterate the seriousness of our intentional sins. Thereby, destroying the false notion of “once saved, always saved” as does the explanation in the first several chapters of Revelation regarding the significance of being an overcomer in order to inherit the promises of God (also see Exodus 32:33). Because if we are genuinely repentant for a sin, we will not keep practicing that sin; rather, we will run like Joseph did from it (Genesis 39). We will turn from it out of a grateful heart for the shedding of Christ’s blood and a healthy respect for YHVH, our Abba Father.

Intentional sin always leads to death (Hebrews 10:26-39; Numbers 15; Exodus 21:14; Deut.17:12-13; 18:20). In other words, there is no sacrifice set up for intentional sin.

The Book of 1 John states in several places that if anyone claims to believe in the saving grace of Yeshua, but continues to break God’s laws knowingly or intentionally is a liar and he/she didn’t truly repentant in the first place (see I John 1:6; 2:3-15; 2:28-29; 3:4-10; 3:24; 4:20; 5:3; 5:10).What’s Your Motive? Did you “believe” in Jesus for your ticket to heaven, but then believe you can do whatever you want continuing to intentionally sin? You have been grossly misinformed, friend. The truth is, in Hebraic culture, to believe is to do or put another way, trust and obey (Proverbs 3 – read all of Proverbs 3), or put another way, “Faith without works is dead.” Or simple stated, believing in Jesus/Yeshua without obedience is deception, vanity, meaningless and no different than what the demons believe. James Chapter 2:14,17,18,19,24,26:

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

You see, so even though obeying the law itself cannot save you, in doing so, upon having a circumcised heart and receiving the Spirit of Holiness (Acts 19:2), you will be a cheerful giver of your life wanting to obey Abba/Yeshua. If you believe in Jesus just to get your ticket to heaven or be raptured out of here with the “to hell with ya’ll” mentality, you’ve already revealed your cards – your motive. Self-centered. Rather, if out of a pure heart motive, grateful for His sacrifice and amazing work He did by cheerfully giving of Himself, then you too will want to cheerfully give of yourself. You will want to serve God and others – not say, “Screw you, I’m saved! You’re doomed to hell!” Rather, you will look for opportunities to bring heaven to earth for His glory. He specializes in softening our hearts.

Tragically, just by looking around us and even within us, we still don’t get the cost of our sin. God, in His omniscience, knows we need as many reminders as possible for Satan is always lurking, tempting us back into being a slave to darkness. Even with having the luxury of God’s word in print readily available in stores, homes, churches and even on our phones now, we still refuse to study it and apply it. Many read it, but few allow it to transform their hearts and eventual lifestyle. Many refuse to accept all of God’s word and therefore, refuse to obey Him and thereby, continue to sin.

Ponder this: The first time, Jesus/Yeshua came, He was the Living Torah, teaching us the laws of love and what they mean, what it should look like while condemning the erroneous doctrines of religion. He then graciously paid the debt for our past sins and future sins if we repent. As we study all of Scripture, we see Yahweh/YHVH/Abba is a holy God, who spends a significant amount of His word, His written voice, from the beginning of the book to the back of the Bible (Revelation 12:17; 14:12; 22:14), explaining to His elect, the difference between holy and unholy, right and wrong, clean and unclean, which are defined in His commandments, His law and that breaking them is sin for as an Israelite or adopted in Israelite, we are called to be a light to the nations.

It’s a huge deal to God to know the difference between light and darkness, clean and unclean, holy and unholy. In fact, this is one reason why Yeshua returns for a second time: to teach us His law/Torah (see Isaiah 2, 51; Micah 4) yet again because we still don’t get it. Also, notice what the primary role of the Levite priests in the millennium will be doing as discussed earlier (see Ezekiel 44:23-24): to help us distinguish between clean and unclean, to teach us God’s laws, to help us uphold the Sabbaths, etc. So contrary to popular beliefs, Christ paid the debt for our sins, but did not wipe out God’s instructions or standards for life. God’s word can never be made void no matter what the modern day religious leaders preach.

Perhaps you’ve been taught that the Old Testament is irrelevant, done away with, no longer applies, etc. Just labeling the first half of the Bible as “old” gives off a certain connotation. But if it no longer applies in the sense of we no longer need to heed God’s voice through it, then why are the humans who survive the great tribulation and wrath of God required to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles in the millennium (check out Zechariah 14:16-21 and all of Zech. 14)? If they fail to do so, their land will receive no rain thereby hindering the food supply and economy. Likewise, we see in Ezekiel, humans will be celebrating the feasts of the LORD and coming to worship Yahweh in the temple (Ezekiel 45:16-17; 46:3-9). We read about similar sentiments in Isaiah 56 where grafted-in Israelites, formerly Gentiles, or ‘sons of the foreigner’ keep God’s Sabbaths, and make sacrifices and burnt offerings in the temple at Mount Zion (the holy mountain). In Ezekiel 44:4-9, notice in the millennium temple in Mount Zion/Jerusalem, not just anybody can come to the temple to worship, but only those humans circumcised of the heart (Deut. 10:12-22; 30:6-10; Romans 2:28-29) and circumcised of the flesh (again, reflecting none of the previous covenants such as the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants are NOT done away with even in the millennium). Note: This human element in the millennium kingdom is also why when Satan is released after the 1,000 years, he is able to deceive humans and create a losing battle against Yeshua and us previously resurrected/gathered now immortal saints (Rev.21:7-10). For everyone has to be tried and tested and everyone must choose this day whom they will serve.

Not only do we see all the former covenants still stand in these passages within the 1,000 year reign, but that we are taught the difference between true and false worship or put another way, how Abba wants to be worshiped. We also see even “the prince”, presumably The Messiah, Jesus/Yeshua, of the line of David, gives offerings, including sin offerings (see Ezekiel 45:-15-17; Ezekiel 37:24). Why is our Messiah making sin offerings -wasn’t His blood enough?Why Is Our Messiah Making Sin Offerings In the Millennium? Wasn’t His Blood Enough?

The Book of Hebrews, most likely written by the Apostle Paul, a Messianic Jew/Hebrew, to Messianic Hebrews/Jews, written in Hebrew, reveals to us that although Yeshua/Jesus, is our Heavenly Melchizedek High Priest (Hebrews 8:1-3), who made atonement for us through His blood (Hebrews 9:28) by reconciling believers to YHVH, and now mediates on our behalf in heaven (Hebrews 4:14-16; 8:6), Yeshua/Jesus does not replace the Levite priestly role here on Earth (only in heaven is He the High Priest).

“Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, ‘See,’ He says, ‘that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.’ But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.” Hebrews 8:4-6

Again, this verse, like many others, validates the Mosaic Covenant, God’s laws, aren’t done away with even after Christ’s death. Many scholars believe the Book of Hebrews was penned in 63 AD before the destruction of the temple in 70 AD, which means the sacrifices were still being made at that time. The author reveals even after Christ’s death and resurrection, not only were they still making sacrifices (Hebrews 8:4-6; 10:1-2,11; 13:11), but Yeshua/Jesus, could not be the earthly High Priest; rather, He is the heavenly High Priest mediating a much bigger ministry on our behalf in heaven’s temple. After all, we know the temples that have been here on Earth are merely a replica of heaven’s place of worship.

So why is Yeshua participating in making sacrifices? Why did Yeshua attend Sabbath services and the Feasts the first time He walked the Earth – especially when the Sabbath and Feasts (and the sacrifices) are all about Him anyway? He has a good habit of leading in love, leading by example, and failure to do so would make Himself sin against His Father, for Yeshua knows better. Think, “Honor thy Father and mother..”AVOID SLOPPY AGAPE

According to various passages previously listed above, the penalty for breaking God’s laws intentionally is death – no if’s, and’s, or but’s about it. Rather, only unintentional sin out of ignorance or by accident (i.e. manslaughter) can the priest make atonement for forgiveness (yet another example of God’s ongoing grace even back in the Mosaic Covenant). See Hebrews 9:7:

“But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance;”

Ezekiel 45:20 states the priest shall do the same in the millennium: “And so you shall do on the seventh day of the month for everyone who has sinned unintentionally or in ignorance. Thus you shall make atonement for the temple.”

Remember Hebrews 10:26-39 as do other passages strongly advise against intentionally breaking God’s laws/committing sins after you know better for “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (vs 31). Also, see the Book of Jude. Conversely, those “who look into the perfect law of liberty (Torah) and continues in it, and is not forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” (James 2:25)

What if you yourself are being obedient to what you have been shown in His word, but a friend who also believes in Yeshua/Jesus, isn’t a “doer of the word” (James 2:22)? You can lead in love by interceding in prayer and correction (Matthew 18; Jude 22-23) for that person:

“Brethern, if anyone among you wanders from the truth (what is truth – see Psalm 119:30, 42), and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner (one who breaks God’s laws I John 3:4) from the error of his way will SAVE A SOUL FROM DEATH and cover a multitude of sins.” James 5:19-20

“If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death (aka unintentional sins), he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death (intentional sin). I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin (both intentional and unintentional), and there is sin not leading to death (unintentional).” 1 John 5:16-17

The good news is if you have been made aware of some Biblical truth (aka one of God’s laws), but you ignore it and therefore, intentionally disobey, REPENT IMMEDIATELY- confess your sin to Abba in Yeshua’s redeeming name while you can for “He is faithful and just to forgive our sins…” I John 1:9.

Overall folks, you need to know, the sacrificial system of the past, present, and future never was designed for intentional sin only unintentional sin. Intentional sin always led to stoning…to death (on the testimony of 2 or 3 witnesses). Instant spiritual and physical death. How much worse do you think it will be for you if you intentionally sin after knowing about the grace of God through the death of His Son, Yeshua/Jesus (Hebrews 10:26-39)? Repentance is serious. Don’t be like a dog that goes back to his vomit “for it would have been better for them not to have know the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.” (Proverbs 26:11; 2 Peter 2:21-22)

Be a living sacrifice – die to your flesh (Romans 12:1-2) for the flesh is temporary. The Spirit is eternal beckoning your allegiance to Him forevermore. Love God and others the way He wants to be loved. Shalom and Amen.